Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

Female to female transmission?

Does it happen? Does anyone on here know any stories of it happening? I know it is the lowest risk poss. I am just curious about the statistics on it.
28 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
Avatar universal
'All of the confusion/fear/anxiety is caused by too many different philosophies on hiv transmission'.

I fully agree. I mean, I followed up on what Ohio posted because of the line 'well-documented risk of female to male transmission' which was footnoted. The footnote led to the CDC's page 'Can I get HIV from oral sex?' Which, shock horror, has no evidence! I think it's easy to see through the CDC. It seems on one hand to be a great organization from a data surveillance point of view, but on the other hand it really is driven by the concept of abstinence only prevention, which simply doesn't work. But if you're trying to promote abstinence of course you're going to highlight risks when there aren't any! But that seems to bypass people.

I think the confusion and anxiety can also boil down to peoples' desire for absolutes - we all have them - and doctors' fairly obstinate refusal to say 'NO RISK'. It's not in their nature. In a way that's a good thing because it leads to further innovation. But for the WW like myself when I'm told you've more chance of being hit by lightening, the inevitable response will be 'but people DO get hit by lightening!

The only way I can find to get around this is to say to myself, if I start thinking this way I might as well leave the house. Ever. Because sometimes when a person leaves a house, they get hit by moving objects. But pretty much all the time, they don't

I'm glad you read a lot as I think your posts are very well informed. But no more than myself, the benefit your research might bring to others probably isn't doing you much good!

Thanks for the clarification
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I do not think it is a stupid question.  All of the confusion/fear/anxiety is caused by too many different philosophies on hiv transmission.  Again, I go by real world results for most things in life.  You will not get hiv from going down on a woman.

thanks for the comment.  I am certainly no expert though but I do read a tremendous amount.  Sometimes too much.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
aren't all straight men simply lesbians caught in male's bodys?!

I'm sorry, just to clarify, when you say there is no risk from female to female sexual, does that mean you don't think they're a risk from going down on a woman at all regardless of whether you're a man or a woman? I'm sorry it's probably a stupid question but I'm just looking to clarify!

By the way I really appreciate your insight on here. Your posts are very very good:)
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
There is no risk from female to female sexual activities.  None.  Period.  I am not a fan of the body.com at all or Dr. Bob.  Vaginal fluids have been shown to contain less of the HIV virus in them.  Of course they can fluctuate but overall, vaginal fluid is not nearly as infectious as semen and blood.  Don't forget as well it takes alot of virus for HIV to have a chance.

Sometimes I wish I was lesbian.  Then i could actually enjoy sex without the nagging fear in the back of my mind.

Helpful - 0
279164 tn?1192530134
Lesbian women should know that vaginal and cervical secretions and menstrual blood are potentially infectious and that mucous membrane (e.g., oral, vaginal) contact with infected blood or secretions can lead to HIV transmission.
Helpful - 0
279164 tn?1192530134
http://thebody.com/content/whatis/art17066.html
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
No problem. and SSK, no IT DOESNT
Helpful - 0
279164 tn?1192530134
YES it happen
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Ok I am just interested in this stuff and keep reading and learning that is why I like talking to people like you to get different opinions. Thanks for your responses.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Yeah I'm pretty sure they are saying if there was enough exchange of vaginal fluids then there could be transmission in lesbian sex, but this is theoretical.  
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
In this particular statement by cdc I mean.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
OK what they are saying is that because of female to male transmission due to vaginal secretions and such could possibly lead to female to female transmission? Right?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Yes I think you are right, like dumbo said.  It was later shown that the people who claimed to have gotten HIV through lesbian relations actually had other risks, like IV drug use or bisexuality.  Yes, there are case reports, but they mean nothing unless they can be confirmed.  ITs the same sort of situation as oral sex.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
So there are not any female to female case reports I am confused because I thought that it meant that there had been case reports.  I keep reading it maybe you can help. I know the case reports that were filed were never confirmed because they found out the + person was an iv user or had sex with men also. So there are case reports of it although it was never proven nor do I believe its happened.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
No no it says "However, case reports of female to MALE transmission..." after that and that is what it was referring to.  
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thanks. I was starting to think I was not very well liked for a minute.
" To date, there are no confirmed cases of female-to-female sexual transmission of HIV in the United States database (K. McDavid, CDC, oral communication, March 2005). "However, case reports of female-to-female transmission of HIV
I guess that means they could not confirm it? That is what I thought was kind of a contradiction.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
You aren't the only person to post something like this, and I think it's still interesting that people do.  I don't think there is any contradiction in the information you provided.  Lesbians usually have oral sex and use sex toys, neither of which is considered a risk for HIV.  Dumbo is right to say that if it were a risk, there would be a category about it, but the thing you posted is interesting.  Glad you are not freaked out anymore, I remember when you first posted.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I was not trying to be childish or immature I really was curious as I stated about female to female transmission. What I found interesting is that so many people have such a fear of hiv that I can't ask
about somehing because people are so used to these people on here who are irrational in there toughts of sex and hiv. It was nothing against you,and when I stated it was funny I meant odd not humorous.
"I am not thinking illogically I am a hetrosexual female with no fear of having hiv. I was just starting a conversation out of my own Curiosity. I think that it is funny how everyone just assumes anyone on here is a parinoid freak!!!!! LOL! "
  
That statement was intended for the parinoid freaks not the good people who answer them.

Thank-you for your response to my origianal post btw nevertheless it was appriciated :)
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
So let me get this straight, you had a concern that brought you here.  It is cleared up now, and now you are not afraid of HIV at all.  So you come back to this forum full of hyperanxious people (like you were) and make childish immature posts to which people take time to reply to and you laugh about it?

Remember, people see text here, not body language or tones of voice, that is why it is necessary to clarify things.  But your lack of maturity probably prevents you from doing this so I completely understand.

Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Is everyones panties in a bunch 2day or what? I wish people could laugh a little more somtimes.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
" I am just curious about the statistics on it. " Sorry you misunderstood.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Maybe you should have clarified that in your post then instead of assuming people would know this.  When people post here, it is automatically assumed there is concern unless specified otherwise.


thanks
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Never felt better! Testing was the best thing I could have done for myself and my children I was a true mess for a while. How are you?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Are you just trying to get cheap thrills? LOL! I did not have a lesbian experience sorry.
Helpful - 0
2
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the HIV Prevention Community

Top HIV Answerers
366749 tn?1544695265
Karachi, Pakistan
370181 tn?1595629445
Arlington, WA
Learn About Top Answerers
Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
Condoms are the most effective way to prevent HIV and STDs.
PrEP is used by people with high risk to prevent HIV infection.
Can I get HIV from surfaces, like toilet seats?
Can you get HIV from casual contact, like hugging?
Frequency of HIV testing depends on your risk.
Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) may help prevent HIV infection.